Immunochemical detection of arbuscular mycorrhizae

The difficult systematics of the arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) forming-fungi, belonging to the Glomales, can be facilitated with immunochemical methods. Polyclonal antibodies, however, are seldom able to reach below the generic level. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) have been produced which can differentiate AM fungal spores on the species and strain/isolate level. Together with an improved enrichment procedure for spores and hyphae of AM fungi, isolation and identification of the extraradical structures is possible with these mAb, lowering the risk of unspecific binding. Quantification of the data is discussed as the next step.This paper is dedicated to Prof. Dr. Peter Sitte on the occasion of his 65th birthday.